PIT PLANTING WITH MANUKE. 811 



the roots have been covered, but before the pit has beeri quite filled, 

 the soil should be pressed down with the hand from time to time ; 

 and when the pit is full, a final pressing with the hand or foot, 

 whichever is more effective, should be given in order to prevent any- 

 subsequent settling, which would not only mean insulScient origin- 

 al contact between the soil and the roots and the consequent, 

 drying up of many of these latter, but also the ultimate exposure 

 and, may be, death of the upper ones. Last of all, a part of the 

 stony element may be spread over the already filled pit to inter- 

 cept evaporation from the soil below. In most parts of India it is 

 advisable to plant a little deep, so as to leave a hollow over the 

 roots to catch and retain rain water. 



In grasslands transplants are sometimes put down which possess 

 mainly a long tap-root with scarcely any side roots, in order that they 

 may at once get into soil beyond the reach of the dense net-work of 

 the roots of grasses and other injmious vegetation. In their case the 

 good soil should be put in at the bottom of the pit and the inferior 

 portion above, so as to force all root-activity into the lower ex- 

 tremity, where it is required. In Oudh, Captain Wood has planted 

 in this manner sissu seedhngs with a tap-root up to 6 feet long. 



The workmen must be provided with some tool, like a khurpa or 

 trowel or small weeding fork oi a light one-hand hoe, wherewith 

 to break up clods (for only finely broken soil should be put back 

 ia direct contact with the roots) and, if necessary, also to clear out 

 or enlarge the pits. 



Value and employment of the method. This method is an 

 extremely simple one, and is adapted for all sizes of plants, especi- 

 ally for those of the two higher classes. It can be employed in 

 almost any soil, very wet or very shallow soils excepted, in which 

 indeed no method of pit planting can ever be successful. The roots 

 being free and not confined, as in the case of ball planting, each 

 plant is free to assume its own style of root-development in accord- 

 ance with its surroundings. To sum up, this method may be con- 

 sidered as the best one to adopt under all ordinary circumstances^ 

 particularly when large plants are used or the plants possess a 

 strong and extended ramification of roots. 



ARTICLE 3. 

 Pit planting with manure. 



Owing to the use of manure, the pits are necessarily made 

 ismaller than in the preceding case, both in order to save manure 



